No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.

But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

*sigh*- Where do I start? After I read Missie’s author interview and her character interview with Noah, I knew I had to read this book! I honestly hadn’t heard much about it or just hadn’t paid attention until then. I’ve been looking for a good book that could take me on an emotional roller coaster (I’m in that kind of mood), but hadn’t been able to find one that quite did it. Oh boy, Pushing the Limits did not disappoint!

The book is told from both Echo and Noah’s point-of-views with altering chapters. McGarry did this very well. It added so much more to the story by getting their perspective of each other, and understanding where both of them were coming from. It was interesting “watching” two people whose lives had been completely thrown out of whack, find each other and so desperately want “normal.” I’m not going to lie, this book killed me at times. I literally had to stop reading it in public, because I couldn’t keep from crying, smiling, or showing all the other strong emotions that I had all throughout it. There are definitely a lot of highs and lows in this book!

The characters were heartbreaking. Echo suffered a very traumatic event that she can’t quite remember. She knows she that her mentally unstable mom did something to her that left her scarred physically and emotionally, but no one will tell her the details. She’s learned not to trust anyone, because they always turn on her or leave her. It really got to me sometimes, because I knew exactly what she was feeling. Then there is Noah. Noah the hot, foul mouthed bad boy… Noah, the rebel who would do anything for the ones he loves. He has his own set of scars that run deep. It was the moments with him and his little brothers that I found myself crying the most. He loved them more than life itself, and it’s through his love for his brothers that we see even more what a great guy he is. And I loved that he wasn’t afraid to throw down and scrap to protect the people he cared about. Oh, can’t forget his tattoos…. mmmm.

There were a lot of other characters in the story that were a big part of Echo and Noah’s lives, but there were a few that really stood out the most. I loved Mrs. Collins, the clinical social worker. She was great at her job, but she was a horrible driver. I laughed so hard every time poor Noah had to experience her driving. But she was more than that, her role in their lives was huge. I also loved Lila and Beth. Two girls who were complete opposites, yet they both truly loved their friends. And Isaiah, more than just Noah’s friend – he was a brother by choice, and stood by his side in tough times.

There was so much that I loved about Pushing the Limits, especially those sweet heart-melting moments between Echo and Noah. And the witty, flirty banter between them was perfect. There were also things that bothered me. It made me cringe every time Noah had his jealousy moments. I mean, I get it, but it still annoyed me. Also, after about halfway through the book it started to get a little too dramatic at points, but that only brought it down a tiny bit for me. I think what attracted me to this book so much was the fact that I had my “Noah” when I was their age and it didn’t end well. But, I think that’s why I rooted so hard for them – I wanted Echo and Noah to finally find happiness.

Overall, I loved Pushing the Limits! I could seriously go on and on about it. I even pre-ordered it for a couple of my friends. Seriously, this is a must read, so buckle-up and get to it! And now I’m dying to read Dare You To, which is Beth’s story. Sadly it won’t be published until 2013.

23 responses to “Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry”

Pushing The Limits was such an enjoyable read! I agree with most of what you’ve said, and yes, there were some parts where the drama was a little overdone. I loved Echo and Noah and was rooting for them the whole time!

I have read review after review on this one and I am starting it for the read along this weekend. I want to see what all the buzz is about. Really you had to stop reading it in public was that because you make faces when you read or move your lips?

I stopped reading because I felt like an idiot sitting at the water park blubbering away while reading it. lol. I don’t cry in front of people. Hell it’s taken a lot for me to even admit I cry, period. 😀

I freaking can’t WAIT for Beth’s story!!! Is she going to be a character story or what?!?! I am going to go buy the book it was that good!! I want to read it again and then lend it to my friends 🙂 I loved your review, esp. reminding me of Mrs. Collins!! Nirvana wearing, Mercedes driving social worker!! Loved her!!!

I didn’t love the over dramatic bits, but at the same time they were kind of perfect. These characters are damaged, how can we expect them Not to be overdramatic. I can see how it really fits. His jealousy was the same, not something I wanted but something I would expect.

Except for the drugs Noah was totally my type. Hell, I married someone who was kinda like a Noah. So I do have a soft spot for him. And everything Echo went through was enough to pull st my heart & want the best for her.

I loved this one and it was so hard not to go on & on about Why I loved it & why even the parts I didn’t love were something to love (like the jealousy). I resisted going too far into it since I didn’t want to spoil it all. But it really wa a great book. 🙂

Yay! You loved this one too. We seem to have similar tastes, so I’m going to be stalking your blog more often! 😛
The book was very emotional, wasn’t it? I’m glad that you enjoyed it. I agree about it being over dramatic on certain occasions. Plus, I felt like Noah and Echo had too much problems in their lives. It felt a little exaggerated, but I still enjoyed the book. 🙂
I can’t wait for Beth’s story either! I wasn’t a huge fan of her in this one, but I’m willing to give it a try hoping she’ll grow a little. 🙂
Beautiful review, Christy! 🙂

Ohh, you even pre-ordered it for some friends? Now that’s more than a little promising. 😮 I can’t believe how much awesome reviews this is getting! I’m so looking forward to the readalong and to be able to dig into this one. Sure sounds like a fantastic read!

I’ve seen so many reviews about Pushing the Limits that I think I need to read it at some point! However, I’m a bit scared because, well. Real life Noahs aren’t probably turning out like the one in this book, and I’m not sure I can support that kind of relationship–no, wait, that’s the wrong wording. I mean to say that it takes an awful lot of healing to bring characters as broken as these two back to a semblance of normal, and it’s a process most difficult to portray, and to portray well, specially if the span of the book is less than, say, five or six years.

That said, no matter how much I speak up and complain and *say*, if I found a real-life Noah I’d fall over myself in my hurry to do exactly the kind of thing that I tend to critisize, but oh well. Forgive me my little moments? 🙂

Great review, Christy! I’m really glad you liked this book so much, and I’ll try to make room for it soon!

I am currently reading this book and I love it, I keep reading reviews on it because it is so heart warming to see so many people being so passionate, happy and loving about a book and it’s characters. tHis doesn’t happen often.Fantastic, well written review, loved it x

I was really happy to see that friendships were also a big part of this story. I love romance, but that’s not all people have in their lives. Friends are important too, and Noah and Echo had some really good friends.